KANNAPOLIS — Wanda Upright Kennedy was a loving grandmother who enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, her relatives say.

Rowan County investigators said Kennedy, 67, was killed Wednesday during a break-in at her Smith Road home in Kannapolis.

Sheriff’s detectives charged a neighbor, Brandon Paul Hodges, 37, of 170 Pleasant Hill Drive, Kannapolis, with first-degree murder. Hodges remains in the Rowan County Detention Center without bond.

Investigators went to Kennedy’s home after someone called 911 to report a break-in and an assault. Officials said her grandson, who reportedly was on leave from the Marine Corps, was at the home at the time of the break-in. He was injured and taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released.

When authorities arrived, Hodges was still in the home. He was taken into custody Wednesday and formally charged Thursday. He’s expected for a first appearance in court today.

One of Kennedy’s cousins, Deborah Moore, said she kept hearing sirens the day of the murder but wasn’t immediately aware that emergency crews were headed to her cousin’s house. Moore lives across the street from her cousin’s house.

The two women’s grandfather owned more than 100 acres of what used to be farmland. The property was divided among 10 children and eventually passed down to other relatives. Most of the people who live on Smith Road are related, Moore said.

Moore said Kennedy had lived at the home since her children were young.

Moore recalled that Kennedy had taken her sister to the hospital about 4 a.m. Wednesday and returned to her Smith Road home. Moore received a call from another relative who asked her to check on the sirens they’d heard.

“I went over and I saw the tape,” Moore said.

She talked with investigators who, after a couple of hours at the home, confirmed that Kennedy was dead.

Moore said Kennedy’s husband, Johnny, died a few years ago.

“She was happy-go-lucky and liked to travel,” Moore said.

She recounted the most recent trips her cousin took with her children and grandchildren, including visits to Kentucky, Tennessee and the beach.

Kennedy and Moore both graduated from South Rowan High School and were both retired from Pass & Seymour/Legrand, an electronic parts supplier in Concord.

Moore said her cousin often took in stray dogs and cats. She at one point had 16 cats and three dogs.

“She told me recently she was ready to go to heaven. She missed her husband,” Moore said.

Kristianna Watson said Kennedy, who was her cousin, was more of a grandmother to her children.

“A truly amazing person was stolen from us. … She was a kind and loving woman,” Watson said.

Watson said Kennedy always made time to tell the people in her life that she loved them and was there for them.

“Our family is in such shock right now, and we are heartbroken that anyone could do such a thing. I can’t describe the sadness that we are feeling,” she said.

Another cousin, Betsy Harris, said she is a Christian today because of Kennedy.

“She loved me enough to implore me to devote my life to the Lord when I was 16,” Harris shared on her Facebook page. “For that, I will always be grateful and know we will spend eternity together.”

Harris said she believes Kennedy was greeted in heaven with the words she thinks everyone would love to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

She called Kennedy’s death a huge loss for the family.

“Personally, I have lost someone whose life exemplified Christ’s love to me for the last 50 years,” Harris said.

She said Kennedy was the most “beautiful, funny, strong, encouraging, and fierce” woman she’s ever known. Kennedy was always there for her, Harris said, and never missed a chance to say that she was proud of her.

Another of Kennedy’s cousins, Kathy Therrell, called Kennedy an awesome and wonderful person.

“So many children have lost their ‘Nana’ and MawMaw. I cannot think of a more loving, caring, beautiful soul. I loved her dearly,” Therrell said.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.